Senator resigns

April 1, 2004
Filed under Campus News

A student senator resigned partially in protest to decisions made by the new administration after the reigns of Student Senate passed from Adrian Klenz to Chad Wade Monday night.

Senator Eric Ristau resigned at the end of the meeting, partially in protest of appointments Wade made for directors and cabinet members. He later said he also wants to focus more on academics and finding an internship.

Wade and others in charge of appointments didn’t appoint Ristau to the directorship of Academic Affairs Commission. Ristau’s one-and-a-half years experience in the position, he said, made him the best candidate for the position.

“They chose to ignore that,” Ristau said.

There are nine paid director positions for Senate commissions such as Academic Affairs Commission and Finance Commission. People interested in directorships submit applications to the president so he or she can appoint them.

Ristau and Senator Josh Pade objected to the manner in which the appointments were made. Both senators did not get directorships they applied for.

The appointments made, Wade said, were based off of how he felt candidates would be able to work with the new administration and their ability to fulfill their new duties.

Outgoing Vice President Kate Demerse was appointed the Academic Affairs Commission directorship, while the Finance Committee directorship remains vacant.

“We felt that Kate would make a very good Academic Affairs director and someone we could work well with,” Wade said.

Pade applied for the directorship of Finance Commission, which Demerse also applied for.

Pade said most of the people given directorships supported Wade during the election.

“It just looks very bad,” Pade said.

The vote to object to the appointments came to a 10-12 vote with three abstentions. A two-thirds vote of Senate members is needed to deny any appointments.

After Senate elections, Wade said there are always hard feelings, but he hopes this doesn’t divide Senate.

“I hope it doesn’t become factioned,” Wade said, “but the potential is there.”

Saying good-bye to the “old man”

Before the tone of the meeting went sour, it began sweet with one-and-a-half hours of praise and fond remembrances of the outgoing Senate president and vice president.

Jibes on 29-year-old Klenz’s choice of music, attire and age accompanied a resolution honoring his service to the student body.

“You’re an inspiration to nursing home residents everywhere,” director Scott Olson said.

Senate Director of Public Relations Kaysie Olson said Demerse was a credit to the female gender and an inspiration to women in student government.

“You kinda give women a one-up,” she said.

In his final address to Senate, Klenz urged people take Senate seriously because it is not a “toy government.”

“This isn’t student council,” he said. “We’re not selling candy bars.”